Tournament this weekend.....witnessed a fellow pitcher take one off his right cheek bone. I shouldn’t say a pitcher as he normally plays 3rd but they were getting blown out and he pitches in league from time to time and asked to pitch. They even asked if he wanted a mask and he said no. Split wide open and could have put 3 fingers in the opening. Lucky that is all that it resulted in.
If this is referencing the incident at Turf Wars, I know exactly what you are mentioning.
D.G. should have, in retrospect, been wearing a helmet, especially against a primarily unlimited arch team and his own lack of tournament pitching experience. J.B. is a very good hitter and hits extremely hard. This combined with the rain soaked turf made for this accident.
I was amazed by a couple things: The sound of the ball hitting his cheek and the immediate blood flow. The very quick response of the umpire to shout for medical attention from the spectators and staff. How quickly the first aid was administered. The fact that D.G. was very aware of everything going on and staying coherent through it all. (I was near the opposing bench and ran immediately for my first aid bag to assist. I just wanted to give a quick mention that Travis C. did a heck of a job taking care of the first aid.)
The cut was probably 2 inches across and down to the bone. His eye was partially swollen shut, but he said he could still see. I hope he doesn't have nerve damage, as hit skin on the cheek was drooping, even with the swelling. Since his departure in the ambulance I haven't heard of anything regarding his condition.
Wear your protection pitchers. It only takes one such accident, witnessed or experienced, to live in your mind and life forever.